Aggression between dogs is a frightening experience for everyone involved. From a small display of aggression, or lunging, to a full-on bite, it could be a risk for humans as well as other dogs and even your pet.
Reactive and aggressive dogs are able to be controlled. It takes time and patience. Choose a trainer who utilizes positive reinforcement both for the dogs and their owners.
Find a trained instructor who is certified
Many dog owners experience issues with aggression. Unchecked aggression can cause serious injuries to pets and humans. In the worst instances an animal’s bite can result in the animal being returned to a shelter or even to an department of animal control for euthanasia. The good news is that aggression can be dealt with. Fear and anxiety are often the cause of aggression, but it may be triggered by the genetics of a person or an experience that has been negative.
A reputable dog trainer will help you overcome your dog’s fears and anxieties by addressing these issues. If you are looking for a local dog trainer in your area be sure to look for certificates as well as references, and then inquire what their training methods are. While anyone can create business cards, it is essential to choose a trainer who follows the ethics guidelines of the body that certifies them and avoids using aversive methods of training.
It is equally important to find a trainer who has experience working with dogs that display aggression. If they have dealt with this kind of behavior in the past they’ll be able to offer some insights into what might be going on in the dog’s head and the best way to help the dog to be more calm and peaceful. They’ll be able to offer some guidance on whether your dog needs medication or could be able to benefit from seeing a vet behavioral specialist (DACVB). DACVBs are essentially veterinarians who specialize in animal behavior, and many owners of pets that are aggressive regret not seeing one sooner because they can see the vast improvement these specialists can bring in their dog’s behavior.
Search for online dog training
Certain trainers use dominance-based methods for training that include issuing “corrections” like rolling your dog’s back with an alpha roll, or grabbing the collar of their dog to keep their barking or biting, and using electronic collars that vibrate or static. Although these techniques may initially help your dog become more willing to obey, they frequently result in anxiety and fear and can increase aggression.
The online aggressive dog training that is effective will assist you in building bonds with your pet so that they will obey you when they’re excited, afraid or anxious. This is crucial for dogs that exhibit aggressive behavior as they tend to get angry and lash out when they are confronted by these triggers.
A qualified trainer can assist in the event that your dog is nervous or thinks it must protect its family or the home. Participating in a group obedience class or working with an experienced trainer can aid your dog to become more secure and less aggression toward other dogs.
Urban K9, a highly evaluated NYC training program, provides behavior modification and training in obedience to tackle leash reactivity, aggression toward other dogs or people as well as resource guarding and separation anxiety. Owner Stephen Baum has extensive credentials and experience in training, including e-collar training, and has been working hard to get the dogs in rescue at Rescue Dogs Rock in NYC.